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The Top 10 Agricultural Technology Innovations of 2025

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan has announced the top ten agricultural technology innovations for 2025, chosen through a vote by members of the Agricultural Technology Club consisting of 30 specialized agricultural media outlets. These innovations were recognized based on their excellence and social relevance, reflecting the advances made in the agricultural sector that year. Below, we explore each of these notable topics in detail.

1. Revolutionary Weed Control Technology

The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization has developed an innovative technique to control the invasive weed, Kappaphycus alvarezii, typically found in rice paddies. This system utilizes a combination of multiple pesticides during the rice planting period, ensuring that the weed's underground parts are eradicated effectively. Sustained application for two consecutive years promises to prevent the weed's spread, alleviating burdens on farmers and securing rice production.

2. Drones Taking Agriculture by Storm

In a groundbreaking initiative, NTT e-Drone Technology has unveiled a drone equipped with lasers aimed to combat wildlife damage in agriculture. This autonomous drone significantly reduces the physical and temporal demands of wildlife deterrence, protecting crops from animal-induced threats and the transmission of viruses, ultimately enhancing biosecurity in livestock production.

3. Japan's First Human-Monitored Autonomous Mower

Atex has launched the country's first human-monitored autonomous lawnmower, which operates safely in open spaces without the necessity of fencing. This innovation ensures that mowing can be executed efficiently, promoting safety and reducing labor costs, a notable advancement in the realm of agricultural machinery.

4. Climate-Responsive Fruit Growing

Another remarkable creation from the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization is a predictive map for suitable cultivation sites for fruit trees in a warming climate. By analyzing various hypotheses related to greenhouse gas emissions, the map offers detailed predictions for the middle and end of the century, assisting farmers in formulating long-term sustainable cultivation strategies.

5. Laser Diodes to Boost Plant Growth

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have made a groundbreaking discovery; using red laser diodes as a light source enhances plant growth and photosynthesis beyond what is achievable with traditional LEDs. This technology has promising applications in plant factories and controlled environments like space farms, heralding a new era in agricultural science.

6. Meet the Sunny Heart Grape

The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization has developed a new variety of grape named the